The Sonya Looney Show

Validation is more than just nodding along. It’s the foundation of healthy communication, trust, and connection. And for today’s guest, it could change the world as we know it. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Caroline Fleck, licensed psychologist, corporate consultant, and author of Validation: How the Skill Set That Revolutionized Psychology Will Transform Your Relationships, Increase Your Influence, and Change Your Life. Her work has been translated into nine languages and has been featured in The New York Times, Good Morning America, and more.We find out why validation is the key to making people feel truly seen and understood, how to avoid the trap of invalidation, and why self-validation is just as important as validating others. You’ll also hear about Caroline’s “Validation Ladder,” a simple, actionable framework you can use to strengthen your relationships, improve your influence, and even boost your own mental health.Top 5 Takeaways:Validation Builds Connection: It’s about acceptance, not agreeme